Customer Reviews

Whose Child Cries: Children of Gay Parents Talk About Their Lives

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While researching the topic of gay parenting in high school ten years ago, I came across this book in the public library. As a teenager with a gay parent, I was disappointed by the selection of people interviewed in the book. I was looking to validate a very positive childhood experience, but the book left me feeling like the only children who had gay parents were children who had an abnormal life. I had such strong feelings about the subject, that I NEVER returned the book to the library. I know that is censorship, but I saw the author's vision of gay parenting as flawed, and I couldn't think of any way to balance my distaste for the book other than by keeping it from other readers. The only reason the book rated 2 stars from me is because there are not many books out on the subject(at least there weren't in 1989). I did appreciate that the author made an effort to study the subject, but I wish he would have included me or any number of my friends in the book as positive examples of children with gay parents. If you would like my copy, along with my story, e-mail me (put Megan in the subject).

Interesting remarks from Megan. I am in fact one of the children that Joe lived with for (if I recall correctly) a month. I am now 40 years old and do have a different outlook on my family life however at the age I was...it was a huge struggle. There are so many pressures on teens as it is to fit in etc that at time it was just overwhelming to me. I actually went through a grieving process knowing that I wasn't going to have "The Cleavers" for parents and isolated myself because of it. This is a different day and age, back in the early 80's...living in suburban central...it was no picnic. Great for Megan who is/was experienced a "wonderful" life but it was the case for many teens. Not to say we didn't have wonderful parents but it wasn't a wonderful situation to deal with and keep in mind...both my parents were gay.....I was so dripping straight it wasn't funny. Can you imagine all the things that went through my mind...probably not.

Good luck and strength to every child out there who maybe in the situation I was... [...]

Overwhelmingly negative portrayal of the lives of children with lesbian or gay parents. I definitely do not recommend it as the author does not keep his own biases out of the book